Interior system of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle includes a steering wheel support assembly that includes a trim component that defines a trough. The vehicle further includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly and operable to pivot about a first axis from a steering wheel use position to a steering wheel stowed position. In the steering wheel use position, the steering wheel is operable to rotate about a second axis to steer the vehicle. In the steering wheel stowed position, a portion of the steering wheel is received within the trough defined by the trim component.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle. Morespecifically, the present disclosure generally relates to an interiorsystem of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Vehicles typically include a steering wheel and foot pedals that areused in operation. The steering wheel and foot pedals take up spacewithin vehicle interiors.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicleincludes a steering wheel support assembly that includes a trimcomponent that defines a trough. The vehicle further includes a steeringwheel operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly andoperable to pivot about a first axis from a steering wheel use positionto a steering wheel stowed position. In the steering wheel use position,the steering wheel is operable to rotate about a second axis to steerthe vehicle. In the steering wheel stowed position, a portion of thesteering wheel is received within the trough defined by the trimcomponent.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure can includeany one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second        axis;    -   the trough defined by the trim component faces generally        vehicle-upward;    -   a dashboard, wherein the steering wheel support assembly is        movable relative to the dashboard between a retracted position        and an extended position, wherein the steering wheel support        assembly protrudes vehicle-rearward further in the extended        position than in the retracted position;    -   the portion of the steering wheel that is received within the        trough in the steering wheel stowed position is positioned        beneath a portion of the dashboard in the steering wheel stowed        position and the retracted position of the steering wheel        support assembly;    -   the dashboard includes a housing, and the steering wheel support        assembly is received within the housing in the retracted        position, and protrudes out of the housing in the extended        position; and    -   the portion of the steering wheel that is received within the        trough in the steering wheel stowed position is positioned        within the housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the        retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicleincludes a steering wheel support assembly movable relative to adashboard between a retracted position and an extended position. Thesteering wheel support assembly protrudes vehicle-rearward further inthe extended position than in the retracted position. The vehiclefurther includes a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering wheelsupport assembly and operable to pivot about a first axis between asteering wheel use position and a steering wheel stowed position. In thesteering wheel use position, the steering wheel is operable to steer thevehicle via pivotal movement about a second axis that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure can includeany one or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the steering wheel support assembly includes a trim component        that defines a trough, and a portion of the steering wheel is        received within the trough in the steering wheel stowed        position;    -   the trough defined by the trim component faces generally        vehicle-upward;    -   the dashboard includes a housing, and the steering wheel support        assembly is received within the housing in the retracted        position, and protrudes out of the housing in the extended        position;    -   a portion of the steering wheel is positioned within the housing        in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position        of the steering wheel support assembly;    -   a majority of the steering wheel is positioned within the        housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted        position of the steering wheel support assembly;    -   a portion of the steering wheel faces vehicle-rearward in the        steering wheel use position and faces vehicle-upward in the        steering wheel stowed position;    -   the steering wheel support assembly translates between the        extended and retracted positions; and    -   a linear actuator that propels the steering wheel support        assembly between the extended and retracted positions.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicleincludes a dashboard that includes a housing. The vehicle also includesa steering wheel support assembly operably coupled to the dashboard,having a trim component that defines a trough, and being movable betweenan extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position,the steering wheel support assembly protrudes out of the housing. In theretracted position, the steering wheel support assembly is receivedwithin the housing. The vehicle further includes a steering wheeloperably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly and operable topivot about a first axis from a steering wheel use position to asteering wheel stowed position. In the steering wheel use position, thesteering wheel is operable to rotate about a second axis to steer thevehicle. In the steering wheel stowed position, a portion of thesteering wheel is received within the trough defined by the trimcomponent. The portion of the steering wheel received within the troughin the steering wheel stowed position is positioned within the housingin the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of thesteering wheel support assembly.

Embodiments of a third aspect of the present disclosure can include anyone or a combination of the following features:

-   -   the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second        axis;    -   the trough defined by the trim component faces generally        vehicle-upward; and    -   the steering wheel support assembly translates between the        extended and retracted positions.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosurewill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a vehicle, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a vehicle interior, illustrating asteering wheel in a steering wheel use position, a steering wheelsupport assembly in an extended position, a foot pedal in a foot pedaluse position, and a foot rest in a foot rest stowed position, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the vehicle interior, illustratingthe steering wheel in the steering wheel stowed position, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the vehicle interior, illustratingthe steering wheel in the steering wheel stowed position, the steeringwheel support assembly between the extended position and a retractedposition, the foot pedal between the foot pedal use position and a footpedal stowed position, and the foot rest between the foot rest stowedposition and a foot rest use position, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the vehicle interior, illustratingthe steering wheel in the steering wheel stowed position, the steeringwheel support assembly in the retracted position, the foot pedal in thefoot pedal stowed position, and the foot rest in the foot rest useposition, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a lower perspective view of a foot well of the vehicleinterior, illustrating the foot pedal received within a foot pedalrecess defined by an underside of a dashboard of the vehicle in the footpedal stowed position, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the vehicle interior, illustratinga user lying in a supine position in a seating assembly with a reclinedseatback with the user's feet resting on the foot rest, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view of the vehicle interior,illustrating two users of the vehicle lying in supine positions withtheir feet resting upon foot rests disposed within respective foot wellsof the vehicle, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an isolated view of a portion of a vehicle interior systemthat includes a linear actuator, the foot rest, the foot pedal, thesteering wheel support assembly, and the steering wheel, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an isolated view of a portion of a vehicle interior systemthat includes a linear actuator, the foot rest, the foot pedal, thesteering wheel support assembly, and the steering wheel, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an isolated view of a portion of a vehicle interior systemthat includes a linear actuator, the foot rest, the foot pedal, thesteering wheel support assembly, and the steering wheel, according toone embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an upper perspective view of the vehicle interior,illustrating a foot rest within the foot well of the vehicle, and theuser utilizing the foot rest in a supine position, according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the foot well of the vehicle,illustrating the foot pedal and a floor of the vehicle extending from abase portion to a shelf portion that comprises the foot rest, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 14A is an upper perspective view of the foot well of the vehicle,illustrating the foot rest in the foot rest stowed position, accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 14B is an upper perspective view of the foot well of the vehicleinterior, illustrating the foot rest in the foot rest use position,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a vehicle interior system of the vehicle,according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method of operating avehicle, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be setforth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from the description, or recognized bypracticing the invention as described in the following description,together with the claims and appended drawings.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or moreitems, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself,or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed.For example, if a composition is described as containing components A,B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; Aand B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; orA, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top”and “bottom,” and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity oraction from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring orimplying any actual such relationship or order between such entities oractions.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of itsforms: couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining oftwo components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to oneanother. Such joining may be stationary or movable in nature. Suchjoining may be achieved with the two components (electrical ormechanical) and/or any additional intermediate members. Such joining mayinclude members being integrally formed as a single unitary body withone another (i.e., integrally coupled) or may refer to joining of twocomponents. Such joining may be permanent in nature, or may be removableor releasable in nature, unless otherwise stated.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as usedherein are intended to note that a described feature is equal orapproximately equal to a value or description. For example, a“substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that isplanar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended todenote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In someembodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of eachother, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of eachother.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” andshould not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to thecontrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includesembodiments having two or more such components unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-16 , a vehicle 10 is disclosed. The vehicle 10may be a variety of types of vehicles (e.g., sedan, pickup truck, SUV,crossover, van, etc.). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , thevehicle 10 is a pickup truck. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 mayinclude an internal combustion engine that propels the vehicle 10. Insome embodiments, the vehicle 10 may be an electric vehicle that ispropelled by one or more electric motors. In some embodiments, whereinthe vehicle 10 is an electric vehicle, the vehicle 10 may include afront trunk 12, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . It is contemplated that thevehicle 10 may be propelled by a variety of power sources, in variousembodiments (e.g., hybrid gas and electric, hydrogen fuel cell, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6 , the vehicle 10 includes a vehicle interior14. The vehicle interior 14 includes a floor 16. A dashboard 18 may bepositioned within the vehicle interior 14 at a vehicle-forward end ofthe vehicle interior 14. The dashboard 18 may include an underside 20.The underside 20 of the dashboard 18 may face the floor 16 of thevehicle 10, in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the dashboard18 may extend above a foot well 22 of the vehicle 10, as describedfurther herein. The dashboard 18 may include a top side 24 that isopposite of the underside 20 of the dashboard 18. The top side 24 may beadjacent to a windshield 26 of the vehicle 10, in various embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 , in various embodiments, the dashboard 18may include a housing 28. The housing 28 may be positioned between thetop side 24 and the underside 20 of the dashboard 18. The housing 28 maydefine a receiving space 30. In some embodiments, the housing 28 mayreceive at least a portion of a steering wheel support assembly 32therein, as described further herein.

Referring still to FIGS. 2-5 , in various embodiments, the vehicle 10may include a steering control system 34. The steering control system 34may be operated by a user U of the vehicle 10 to steer the vehicle 10,in some implementations. In various embodiments, the steering controlsystem 34 may include the aforementioned steering wheel support assembly32 and a steering wheel 36 that is operably coupled to the steeringwheel support assembly 32. As described further herein, in someembodiments, the steering control system 34 may be operable between ause configuration and a stowed configuration.

Referring still to FIGS. 2-5 , the steering wheel support assembly 32may be operably coupled to the dashboard 18 and configured to supportthe steering wheel 36 of the vehicle 10. In some implementations, thesteering wheel support assembly 32 may extend vehicle-rearward from thedashboard 18, as illustrated in FIG. 2 . In various embodiments, thesteering wheel support assembly 32 may include a variety of components.For example, in some embodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32may include a steering column that provides a physical connectionbetween the steering wheel 36 of the vehicle 10 and the steered wheelsof the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may be asteer-by-wire vehicle that does not include a traditional steeringcolumn. In such embodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32 mayinclude one or more sensors and/or an actuator for causing the steeredwheels of the vehicle 10 to steer in accordance with the position of thesteering wheel 36 sensed by the one or more sensors. Various embodimentsare contemplated.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the steering wheel support assembly 32includes a trim component 38. The trim component 38 may form theexterior surface of the steering wheel support assembly 32. In someembodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32 may include multipletrim components 38 that cooperate to form the exterior surface of thesteering wheel support assembly 32. The one or more trim components 38of the steering wheel support assembly 32 may generally conceal othercomponents of the steering wheel support assembly 32 (e.g., steeringcolumn, sensors, etc.) from view. As described further herein, in someembodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32 may include asteering wheel support assembly actuator 40 that is configured to movethe steering wheel support assembly 32 relative to the dashboard 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments, the trim component38 of the steering wheel support assembly 32 may define a trough 42. Thetrough 42 may be defined on an upper side 44 of the trim component 38,as illustrated in FIG. 2 . In various embodiments, the trough 42 definedby the trim component 38 may face generally vehicle-upward. In someexamples, the trough 42 may be arcuate in shape. As described furtherherein, the trough 42 may receive a portion of the steering wheel 36coupled to the steering wheel support assembly 32 therein, asillustrated in FIG. 3 .

In some embodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32 may beoperable between a retracted position and an extended position. Thesteering wheel support assembly 32 may move relative to the dashboard 18between the retracted and extended positions. In some embodiments, theposition of the steering wheel 36 coupled to the steering wheel supportassembly 32 in the extended position of the steering wheel supportassembly 32 may be vehicle-rearward of the position of the steeringwheel 36 coupled to the steering wheel support assembly 32 in theretracted position of the steering wheel support assembly 32. Forexample, the position of the steering wheel 36 illustrated in FIG. 2 ,wherein the steering wheel support assembly 32 is in the extendedposition, is vehicle-rearward of the position of the steering wheel 36illustrated in FIG. 5 , wherein the steering wheel support assembly 32is in the retracted position. As described further herein, in someembodiments, the steering wheel support assembly 32 may translatebetween the retracted and extended positions.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 , in some embodiments, the steering wheelsupport assembly 32 may protrude out of the housing 28 in the extendedposition, and the steering wheel support assembly 32 may be receivedwithin the housing 28 of the dashboard 18 in the retracted position. Forexample, the steering wheel support assembly 32 may be received withinthe receiving space 30 defined by the housing 28 of the dashboard 18 inthe retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , and the steeringwheel support assembly 32 may translate vehicle-rearward from theretracted position to the extended position, as illustrated in FIGS. 2and 3 . It is contemplated that the steering wheel support assembly 32may translate between the retracted and extended positions in a varietyof manners (e.g., sliding, telescoping, etc.), in various embodiments.It is further contemplated that the steering wheel support assembly 32may move between the retracted and extended positions in a variety ofother ways, in some embodiments (e.g., pivoting, furling, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11 , in various embodiments, the vehicle 10 mayinclude the steering wheel support assembly actuator 40 that isconfigured to propel the steering wheel support assembly 32 between theretracted and extended positions. The steering wheel support assemblyactuator 40 may include at least one of a variety of types of actuatorsoperable to move the steering wheel support assembly 32 between theretracted and extended positions. In some embodiments, the steeringwheel support assembly actuator 40 is a linear actuator 46 that isconfigured to actuate to translate the steering wheel support assembly32 between the retracted and extended positions. For example, asillustrated in FIGS. 9-11 , the linear actuator 46 is coupled to thesteering wheel support assembly 32 and is configured to move thesteering wheel support assembly 32 between the extended position, asillustrated in FIG. 9 , and the retracted position, as illustrated inFIG. 11 . Various types of linear actuators 46 are contemplated (e.g.,piston, solenoid, etc.).

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 , in various embodiments, the steering wheel36 is operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly 32. Thesteering wheel 36 is generally configured to rotate relative to thesteering wheel support assembly 32 to steer the vehicle 10. In someembodiments, the steering wheel 36 is movable between a steering wheeluse position and a steering wheel stowed position. The steering wheel 36may be movable relative to the steering wheel support assembly 32between the steering wheel use and stowed positions. In someimplementations, the steering wheel 36 may be operable to pivot relativeto the steering wheel support assembly 32 about a first axis 48 betweenthe steering wheel use position and the steering wheel stowed position.The first axis 48 may extend substantially vehicle-laterally, asillustrated in FIG. 8 .

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in various embodiments, a portion ofthe steering wheel 36 faces vehicle-rearward in the steering wheel useposition of the steering wheel 36 and faces vehicle-upward in thesteering wheel stowed position of the steering wheel 36. For example,the portion of a circumferential rim 50 of the steering wheel 36 thatfaces vehicle-rearward away from the dashboard 18 in the steering wheeluse position, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , faces vehicle-upward after thesteering wheel 36 pivots about 90° about the substantiallyvehicle-lateral first axis 48 to the steering wheel stowed position, asillustrated in FIG. 3 . It is contemplated that the steering wheel 36may pivot various directions about the first axis 48 from the steeringwheel use position to the steering wheel stowed position such that theportion of the steering wheel 36 that faces vehicle-rearward in thesteering wheel use position may face one or more of a variety of vehicledirections in the steering wheel stowed position (e.g.,vehicle-downward, vehicle-laterally, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 2 , in the steering wheel use position, thesteering wheel 36 is operable to steer the vehicle 10 via pivotalmovement of the steering wheel 36 about a second axis 52. The secondaxis 52 may be substantially perpendicular to the first axis 48, in someembodiments. In some implementations, the second axis 52 may extendgenerally vehicle-longitudinally.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , in the steering wheel stowed position, aportion of the steering wheel 36 may be received within the trough 42defined by the trim component 38 of the steering wheel support assembly32. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 , a portion of thecircumferential rim 50 of the steering wheel 36 is configured to bereceived within the generally arcuate trough 42 defined by the trimcomponent 38 of the steering wheel support assembly 32. As illustrated,the portion of the steering wheel 36 is received within the generallyvehicle-upward facing trough 42 defined by the trim component 38 of thesteering wheel support assembly 32. It is contemplated that the trough42 may face one or more of a variety of vehicle directions correspondingwith the position of the steering wheel portion that is configured to bereceived within the trough 42 in the steering wheel stowed position.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , the vehicle 10 may include a steering wheelactuator 54. The steering wheel actuator 54 may be operable to actuateto move the steering wheel 36 between the steering wheel use and stowedpositions. A variety of types of actuators 54 operable to pivot thesteering wheel 36 between the steering wheel use and stowed positionsare contemplated.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 , as referenced above herein, the steeringcontrol system 34 can be operable between use and stowed configurations.A variety of use and stowed configurations are contemplated. In someimplementations, the steering control system 34 may be in the useconfiguration when the steering wheel support assembly 32 is in theextended position, and the steering control system 34 may be in thestowed configuration when the steering wheel support assembly 32 is inthe retracted position. In some embodiments, the steering control system34 may be in the use configuration when the steering wheel 36 is in thesteering wheel use position, and the steering control system 34 may bein the stowed configuration when the steering wheel 36 is in thesteering wheel stowed position. In some embodiments, the steeringcontrol system 34 is in the use configuration when the steering wheelsupport assembly 32 is in the extended position and the steering wheel36 is in the steering wheel use position, as illustrated in FIG. 2 .Further, the steering control system 34 is in the stowed configurationwhen the steering wheel support assembly 32 is in the retracted positionand the steering wheel 36 is in the steering wheel stowed position, asillustrated in FIG. 5 . As such, in one embodiment, the useconfiguration of the steering control system 34 is illustrated in FIG. 2, and the stowed configuration of the steering control system 34 isillustrated in FIG. 5 .

In some embodiments, in the steering wheel stowed position of thesteering wheel 36 and the retracted position of the steering wheelsupport assembly 32, a portion of the steering wheel 36 is positionedbeneath a portion of the dashboard 18. In other words, in a conditionwhere the steering wheel 36 is in the steering wheel stowed position andthe steering wheel support assembly 32 is in the retracted position, aportion of the steering wheel 36 is positioned beneath a portion of thedashboard 18. In some examples, in the steering wheel stowed position ofthe steering wheel 36 and the retracted position of the steering wheelsupport assembly 32, a portion of the steering wheel 36 is positionedwithin the housing 28 of the dashboard 18. For example, in variousembodiments, in the steering wheel stowed position of the steering wheel36 and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly 32,the portion of the steering wheel 36 that is received within the trough42 defined by the trim component 38 of the steering wheel supportassembly 32 is positioned beneath a portion of the dashboard 18 and/orwithin the housing 28, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . In the illustratedembodiment, the majority of the steering wheel 36 is positioned withinthe housing 28 in the steering wheel stowed position of the steeringwheel 36 and the retracted position of the steering wheel supportassembly 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, 7, and 8 , the vehicle 10 may include aseating assembly 56. In various embodiments, the vehicle 10 may includea plurality of seating assemblies 56. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 2-5 and 7 , the vehicle interior 14 may include a driver seatingassembly 58, a front passenger seating assembly 60, and one or more rows62 of rear seating assemblies. The seating assembly 56 may be positionedwithin the vehicle interior 14 and may include a seat base 64. The seatbase 64 may be coupled to the floor 16 of the vehicle 10, as describedfurther herein. The seat base 64 includes an upper seat base surface 66.The upper seat base surface 66 faces generally vehicle-upward and ispositioned within the vehicle interior 14 to support a user U seated inthe seating assembly 56. As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 , the upper seatbase surface 66 may be positioned vehicle-downward of the underside 20of the dashboard 18 of the vehicle 10.

Referring still to FIGS. 2-5, 7, and 8 , the seating assembly 56 mayinclude a seatback 68. The seatback 68 may be coupled to the seat base64. In various embodiments, the seatback 68 may be pivotably coupled tothe seat base 64 and operable to pivot relative to the seat base 64between an upright position and a reclined position. For example, theseatback 68 of the driver seating assembly 58 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and7 is pivotably coupled to the seat base 64 and operable to pivotrelative to the seat base 64 between the upright position, asillustrated in FIG. 5 , and the reclined position, as illustrated inFIG. 7 . It is contemplated that the seating assembly 56 may be adjustedin a variety of ways, in various implementations. For example, in someembodiments, adjustment may be made to the angle of the seat base 64,the position of a lumbar support, the height of the seat base 64, theposition of thigh bolsters, and/or a variety of other seating assemblyfeatures.

In various embodiments, the seating assembly 56 may be movable withinthe vehicle interior 14. The seating assembly 56 may be movably coupledto the floor 16 of the vehicle 10, in some embodiments. For example, theseating assembly 56 may be coupled to the floor 16 by a guide track (notshown) and operable to slide along the guide track within the vehicleinterior 14. In some implementations, the seating assembly 56 may beoperable to move between a vehicle-rearward position and avehicle-forward position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5 , thedriver seating assembly 58 is positioned in a vehicle-rearward position,such that the vehicle-forward-most portion of the seat base 64 isvehicle-rearward of the vehicle-rearward-most portion of the dashboard18. Conversely, the driver seating assembly 58 illustrated in FIG. 12 ispositioned in the vehicle-forward-most position, such that a portion ofthe seat base 64 is positioned beneath (i.e., directly vehicle-downwardof) a portion of the dashboard 18. It is contemplated that the seatingassembly 56 may move within the vehicle interior 14 in a variety ofvehicle directions, in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , the vehicle 10 may include one or moreseating assembly actuators 70. The one or more seating assemblyactuators 70 may be configured to adjust one or more portions of theseating assembly 56 and/or move the seating assembly 56 within thevehicle interior 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the seating assembly 56may include a first seating assembly actuator 70 that actuates to pivotthe seatback 68 between the upright and reclined positions, and a secondseating assembly actuator 70 that actuates to move the seat base 64along the guide track between the aforementioned vehicle-forward andvehicle-rearward positions. Various embodiments of the vehicle 10 havingmore or fewer seating assembly actuators 70 are contemplated.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 12-14B, the vehicle 10 may include a footwell 22 that corresponds with the seating assembly 56. In variousembodiments, the vehicle 10 includes a plurality of foot wells 22 thatcorrespond with the plurality of seating assemblies 56. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8 , the vehicle interior 14 includesa first foot well 72 that corresponds with the driver seating assembly58, and a second foot well 74 that corresponds with the front passengerseating assembly 60. A variety of components of the vehicle 10 maydefine the foot well 22. In some embodiments, the vehicle-forward-mostportion of the seat base 64 of the seating assembly 56 that correspondswith the foot well 22 may delineate the vehicle-rearward-most portion ofthe foot well 22. In other words, the foot well 22 may be positionedvehicle-forward of the corresponding seating assembly 56. In variousembodiments, the foot well 22 may be at least partially defined by thefloor 16 of the vehicle 10. The floor 16 may include a base portion 76.In various embodiments, the base portion 76 may be generally level. Forexample, in some embodiments, the surface of the base portion 76 of thefloor 16 may be generally parallel to the surface of the ground that thevehicle 10 is positioned upon. In various embodiments, the seatingassembly 56 may be coupled to the base portion 76 of the floor 16. Forexample, the seating assembly 56 may be coupled to the base portion 76of the floor 16 via the guide track which is coupled directly to thebase portion 76, in some embodiments. In some implementations, the baseportion 76 may define at least a portion of the foot well 22.

In some embodiments, the floor 16 may include an inclined portion 78that extends vehicle-upward and vehicle-forward from the base portion76. The inclined portion 78 may at least partially define the foot well22. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 7, 12, and 13 , the floor 16includes the inclined portion 78 which extends vehicle-upward andvehicle-forward from the base portion 76 of the floor 16 and partiallydefines the foot well 22 corresponding with the driver seating assembly58.

In various embodiments, the floor 16 may include a front wall portion80. The front wall portion 80 may extend in a vehicle-upward directionto or proximate to the underside 20 of the dashboard 18 of the vehicle10. In some embodiments, the front wall portion 80 extends to a terminaledge 82 of the floor 16. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A and14B, the front wall portion 80 extends vehicle-upward from the inclinedportion 78 of the floor 16 to a terminal edge 82 of the floor 16proximate to the underside 20 of the dashboard 18. As illustrated inFIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the front wall portion 80 of the floor 16may extend vehicle-upward in a direction that is generally perpendicularto the surface of the base portion 76 of the floor 16. It iscontemplated that, in some embodiments, the inclined portion 78 may bethe front wall portion 80 of the floor 16 and extend vehicle-upward andvehicle-forward from the base portion 76 of the floor 16 to or proximateto the underside 20 of the dashboard 18. In various embodiments, thefront wall portion 80 of the floor 16 may at least partially define thevehicle-forward end of the foot well 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13 , in some embodiments, the floor 16 mayinclude a shelf portion 84. In various implementations, the shelfportion 84 may be positioned vehicle-upward of the inclined portion 78and may extend vehicle-forward from the inclined portion 78 of the floor16. As illustrated in FIG. 12 , the shelf portion 84 may extend betweenthe inclined portion 78 of the floor 16 and the front wall portion 80 ofthe floor 16. The surface of the shelf portion 84 of the floor 16 may besubstantially parallel to the surface of the base portion 76 of thefloor 16. In some examples, the surface of the shelf portion 84 of thefloor 16 may be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the frontwall portion 80 of the floor 16. In various embodiments, the shelfportion 84 may at least partially define the foot well 22 of thecorresponding seating assembly 56.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 , the driver seating assembly58 is coupled to the base portion 76 of the floor 16 of the vehicle 10.The inclined portion 78 of the floor 16 extends vehicle-upward andvehicle-forward from the base portion 76. The shelf portion 84 of thefloor 16 extends vehicle-forward from the inclined portion 78 of thefloor 16, such that the surface of the shelf portion 84 and the surfaceof the base portion 76 are substantially parallel to each other. Thefront wall portion 80 of the floor 16 extends vehicle-upward from theshelf portion 84 in a direction generally perpendicular to the surfaceof the shelf portion 84. The front wall portion 80, the shelf portion84, the inclined portion 78, and the base portion 76 of the floor 16vehicle-forward of the driver seating assembly 58 cooperate to at leastpartially define the foot well 22 that corresponds with the driverseating assembly 58.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , the underside 20 of the dashboard 18 of thevehicle 10 may extend over the foot well 22. In various embodiments, thedashboard 18 may at least partially define the foot well 22. Thedashboard 18 may extend over the base portion 76, the inclined portion78, the shelf portion 84, and/or the front wall portion 80 of the floor16, in various embodiments. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , thedashboard 18 extends over the base portion 76, inclined portion 78,shelf portion 84, and front wall portion 80 of the floor 16.

In some embodiments, the sides of the foot well 22 may be defined by oneor more sides of the vehicle 10 and/or a lateral partition 86 coupled tothe dashboard 18, such as a center console. The lateral partition 86coupled to the dashboard 18 may separate the first foot well 72 thatcorresponds with the driver seating assembly 58 of the vehicle 10 fromthe second foot well 74 that corresponds with the front passengerseating assembly 60 of the vehicle 10, as illustrated in FIG. 8 .

Referring now to FIGS. 2-14B, in various embodiments, the vehicle 10 mayinclude a foot rest 88 that is positioned within the foot well 22 of thevehicle 10 and/or at least partially defining the foot well 22 of thevehicle 10. In some embodiments, the vehicle 10 may include a pluralityof foot rests 88 that are positioned within and/or at least partiallydefine a plurality of corresponding foot wells 22 of the vehicle 10. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , a first foot rest 90 is positionedwithin the first foot well 72 that corresponds with the driver seatingassembly 58, and a second foot rest 92 is positioned within the secondfoot well 74 that corresponds with the front passenger seating assembly60.

Referring still to FIGS. 2-14B, in various embodiments, the foot rest 88may include an upper support surface 94. The upper support surface 94may be configured to support the foot of a user U utilizing the footrest 88. In various embodiments, the upper support surface 94 of thefoot rest 88 may face vehicle-upward in a foot rest use position of thefoot rest 88. As described further herein, in some embodiments, the footrest 88 may be generally fixed in the foot rest use position (i.e.,generally stationary within the foot well 22), and, in some embodiments,the foot rest 88 may be operable to move between the foot rest useposition and a foot rest stowed position. The upper support surface 94of the foot rest 88 may be parallel with the surface of the base portion76 of the floor 16 in the foot rest use position, in some embodiments.

Referring now to FIGS. 5, 7, and 12 , in some embodiments, in the footrest use position, the height of the upper support surface 94 of thefoot rest 88 may correspond with the height of the upper seat basesurface 66 of the corresponding seating assembly 56. For example, insome embodiments, the height of the upper support surface 94 of the footrest 88 may be equal to the height of the upper seat base surface 66 ofthe seating assembly 56. In some embodiments, the heights of the uppersupport surface 94 and the upper seat base surface 66 may correspond,such that the height of the upper support surface 94 is offset from theheight of the upper seat base surface 66 less than or equal to apredetermined vehicle-vertical distance. In some implementations, thepredetermined vehicle-vertical distance may be a distance between about0 inches and about 6 inches. In some embodiments, the predeterminedvehicle-vertical distance may be a distance between about 0 inches andabout 3 inches. In some embodiments, the predetermined vehicle-verticaldistance may be a distance between about 0 inches and about 1.5 inches.In various embodiments, the height of the upper support surface 94 ofthe foot rest 88 may be offset from the height of the upper seat basesurface 66 in a vehicle-downward direction. In other words, the heightof the upper seat base surface 66 may be greater than the height of theupper support surface 94. It is contemplated that the upper supportsurface 94 may have a greater height than the upper seat base surface66, in some embodiments. As used herein, the height of the upper seatbase surface 66 may be equal to the height of the vehicle-upward-mostportion of the upper seat base surface 66.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13 , in some embodiments, the foot rest 88may comprise the shelf portion 84 of the floor 16 of the vehicle 10. Asillustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the shelf portion 84 of the floor 16 isthe foot rest 88 and the surface of the shelf portion 84 is the uppersupport surface 94 of the foot rest 88. As such, because the shelfportion 84 is vehicle-upward of the inclined portion 78 of the floor 16,the foot rest 88, likewise, is vehicle-upward of the inclined portion 78of the floor 16. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 ,wherein the foot rest 88 comprises the shelf portion 84 of the floor 16,the foot rest 88 is fixed in the foot rest use position, as the footrest 88 is generally stationary within the vehicle interior 14. In theillustrated embodiment, the foot rest 88 at least partially defines thefoot well 22 of the vehicle 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, 9-11, 14A, and 14B, in some embodiments, thefoot rest 88 may be movable between the foot rest use position and thefoot rest stowed position. In some implementations, the foot rest 88 maybe operable to pivot within the foot well 22 of the vehicle 10 betweenthe foot rest use position and the foot rest stowed position about afoot rest pivot axis 96, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9-11, 14A, and 14B.The foot rest pivot axis 96 may extend substantially vehicle-laterally,in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . It is contemplated thatthe foot rest pivot axis 96 may extend in various vehicle directions.

In various embodiments, the foot rest 88 may be positioned within thefoot well 22 in the foot rest use and stowed positions. In someimplementations, the foot rest 88 may be proximate to and/or in contactwith the front wall portion 80 of the floor 16 in the foot rest stowedposition. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, and 14A, the footrest 88 is positioned in the foot rest stowed position and proximate toand/or in contact with the front wall portion 80 of the floor 16vehicle-downward of the dashboard 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, in some embodiments, the uppersupport surface 94 of the foot rest 88 may face vehicle-forward in thefoot rest stowed position and vehicle-upward in the foot rest useposition. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14A and14B, the upper support surface 94 of the foot rest 88 facesvehicle-forward in the foot rest stowed position, as illustrated in FIG.14A, and faces vehicle-upward in the foot rest use position, asillustrated in FIG. 14B. In some embodiments, a portion of the floor 16of the vehicle 10 that is vehicle-upward and vehicle-forward of the baseportion 76 of the floor 16 may define a foot rest recess 98. The footrest recess 98 may at least partially receive the foot rest 88 thereinin the foot rest stowed position. For example, as illustrated in FIG.14B, the front wall portion 80 of the floor 16 of the vehicle 10 definesthe foot rest recess 98. As illustrated in FIG. 14A, the foot rest 88 isreceived within the foot rest recess 98 defined by the front wallportion 80 of the floor 16 in the foot rest stowed position.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 , in some embodiments, the upper supportsurface 94 of the foot rest 88 may face vehicle-rearward in the footrest stowed position and vehicle-upward in the foot rest use position.For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the footrest 88 is in the foot rest stowed position and the upper supportsurface 94 of the foot rest 88 faces vehicle-rearward. Further, asillustrated in FIG. 5 , the foot rest 88 is in the foot rest useposition and the upper support surface 94 faces vehicle-upward. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 , the foot rest 88 includes aplatform portion 100 that includes the upper support surface 94 of thefoot rest 88, and two arms 102 that extend from the platform portion 100of the foot rest 88 toward the foot rest pivot axis 96 about which thefoot rest 88 pivots between the foot rest use and stowed positions.Various embodiments of the foot rest 88 are contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , the vehicle 10 may include a foot restactuator 104 that is operable to actuate to propel the foot rest 88between the foot rest use and stowed positions. A variety of types ofactuators 104 are contemplated. In some embodiments, the foot rest 88may be propelled between the foot rest use and stowed positions as aresult of the movement of other components of the vehicle 10. In someembodiments, movement of the steering wheel support assembly 32 betweenthe retracted and extended positions may cause the foot rest 88 to movebetween the foot rest use and stowed positions. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 , a linear gear 106 is coupled tothe steering wheel support assembly 32 and is operable to engage a gearsystem 108 coupled to the foot rest 88, such that, as the steering wheelsupport assembly 32 moves from the extended position, as illustrated inFIG. 9 , to the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 11 ,engagement of the linear gear 106 with the gear system 108 causes thefoot rest 88 to move from the foot rest stowed position, as illustratedin FIG. 9 , to the foot rest use position, as illustrated in FIG. 11 .It is contemplated that the foot rest 88 may be moved manually betweenthe foot rest use and stowed positions, in some implementations.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-14B, a foot pedal 110 may be positioned withinthe foot well 22 of the vehicle 10. In various embodiments, a pluralityof foot pedals 110 may be positioned within the foot well 22. Forexample, the foot well 22 may include an accelerator pedal 112, and abrake pedal 114, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-8 and 12-14B. It iscontemplated that a variety of other types of foot pedals 110 may bepositioned within the foot well 22, additionally or alternatively, insome embodiments (e.g., clutch pedal, parking brake pedal, etc.). Invarious embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may be configured to bedepressed by the foot of the user U of the vehicle 10 to perform avehicle function, such as an acceleration input or a braking input, asis customary in vehicles. In some embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may bea suspended pedal, as shown in FIGS. 2-8 . In some embodiments, the footpedal 110 may be a floor mounted foot pedal, as illustrated in FIGS.12-14B. A variety of types of floor mounted foot pedals 110 arecontemplated (e.g., organ type foot pedal, bottom hinged foot pedal,etc.). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the footpedals 110 are configured to move linearly as depressed by the user U.It is contemplated that the foot well 22 may include multiple footpedals 110 having similar or different pedal styles relative to eachother.

In various embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may include a pad 116 that isconfigured to be engaged by the foot of the vehicle user U depressingthe foot pedal 110. In various embodiments, the accelerator pedal 112and/or the brake pedal 114 may include the pad 116. As illustrated inFIGS. 2-7 , the foot pedal 110 may include a lever 118. The lever 118may be coupled to the pad 116 and may be configured to move in responseto the foot pedal 110 being depressed. In various embodiments, the lever118 may be configured to pivot as the foot pedal 110 is depressed by thevehicle user U. The lever 118 may extend vehicle-upward from the pad 116of the foot pedal 110 in the foot pedal use position, as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 . It is contemplated that the lever 118 may extend in avariety of vehicle directions in the foot pedal use position of the footpedal 110, in various embodiments. For example, and as illustrated inFIGS. 14A and 14B, the lever 118 extends generally vehicle-downward fromthe pad 116 in the foot pedal use position. In various embodiments, thelever 118 may be coupled to a surface of the pad 116 that is opposite ofthe surface of the pad 116 that is configured to be engaged by the footof the vehicle user U.

As described further herein, in some embodiments, the foot pedal 110 maybe operable between the foot pedal use position and a foot pedal stowedposition. It is contemplated that the foot pedal 110 may be configuredto remain in the foot pedal use position (i.e., not have a foot pedalstowed position), in some embodiments. It is further contemplated thatthe foot pedal 110 may be operable to move within the foot well 22 whilein the foot pedal use position as the foot pedal 110 is depressed by thevehicle user U.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, 12, and 13 , the foot pedal 110 within thefoot well 22 may be operable between the foot pedal use position and thefoot pedal stowed position. In some embodiments, the foot pedal 110 maybe operable to pivot between the foot pedal use and stowed positionsabout a foot pedal pivot axis 120. The foot pedal pivot axis 120 mayextend substantially vehicle-laterally. In some embodiments, the footpedal pivot axis 120 and the foot rest pivot axis 96 may besubstantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the foot restpivot axis 96 may be positioned vehicle-rearward of the foot pedal pivotaxis 120. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 , thefoot rest pivot axis 96 is positioned vehicle-rearward of the foot pedalpivot axis 120. The foot pedal 110 may move between the foot pedalstowed and use positions in a variety of ways. For example, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the foot pedal 110 may movelinearly from the foot pedal use position, as illustrated in FIG. 13 ,to the foot pedal stowed position, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , whereinthe foot pedal 110 is nested within the floor 16 of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may pivot vehicle-upward suchthat the pad 116 of the foot pedal 110 is nearer to the dashboard 18 inthe foot pedal stowed position than in the foot pedal use position. Forexample, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 , the pad 116 of the foot pedal 110in the foot pedal use position (FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is further from thedashboard 18 than the position of the foot pedal 110 in the foot pedalstowed position (FIGS. 5 and 6 ).

Referring now to FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the underside 20 of thedashboard 18 may define a foot pedal receiving recess 122. The footpedal 110 may be configured to be received within the foot pedalreceiving recess 122 defined by the underside 20 of the dashboard 18 inthe foot pedal stowed position, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . In someembodiments, the pad 116 of the foot pedal 110 may be wholly outside ofthe foot pedal receiving recess 122 in the foot pedal use position, asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the pad 116 of the foot pedal 110 maybe wholly received within the foot pedal receiving recess 122 defined bythe underside 20 of the dashboard 18 in the foot pedal stowed position,as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

Referring now to FIGS. 2-14B, in some embodiments, the foot pedal 110may be positioned vehicle-downward of the foot rest 88 in the foot pedalstowed position. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12 , wherein thefoot rest 88 comprises the shelf portion 84 of the floor 16, the footpedal 110 is nested within the inclined portion 78 of the floor 16vehicle-downward of the foot rest 88 in the foot pedal stowed position.In some embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may be vehicle-upward of thefoot rest 88 in the foot pedal stowed position, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 6 , wherein the foot rest 88 is pivoted to the footrest use position within the foot well 22, and the foot pedal 110 ispositioned vehicle-upward of the foot rest 88 within the foot pedalreceiving recess 122 defined by the underside 20 of the dashboard 18 inthe foot pedal stowed position.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , the vehicle 10 may include a foot pedalactuator 124 that is operable to actuate to propel the foot pedal 110between the foot pedal use and stowed positions. A variety of types ofactuators 124 are contemplated. In some embodiments, the foot pedal 110may be propelled between the foot pedal use and stowed positions as aresult of the movement of other components of the vehicle 10. In someembodiments, movement of the steering wheel support assembly 32 betweenthe retracted and extended positions may cause the foot pedal 110 tomove between the foot pedal stowed and use positions. For example, inthe embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 , the linear gear 106 iscoupled to the steering wheel support assembly 32 and is operable toengage the gear system 108 coupled to the foot pedal 110, such that, asthe steering wheel support assembly 32 moves from the extended position,as illustrated in FIG. 9 , to the retracted position, as illustrated inFIG. 11 , engagement of the linear gear 106 with the gear system 108causes the foot pedal 110 to move from the foot pedal use position, asillustrated in FIG. 9 , to the foot pedal stowed position, asillustrated in FIG. 11 . In various embodiments, the gear system 108 mayinclude one or more gears 126 that are configured to be engaged with thelinear gear 106 and/or each other in operation. In the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 9-11 , the gear system 108 includes a plurality ofgears 126, such that engagement of at least one of the plurality ofgears 126 by the linear gear 106 as the steering wheel support assembly32 moves from the extended position to the retracted position causesboth the foot pedal 110 to pivot to the foot pedal stowed position andthe foot rest to pivot to the foot rest use position. It is contemplatedthat the foot pedal 110 may be moved manually between the foot pedal useand stowed positions, in some implementations.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14B, in various embodiments, the foot rest 88may include a laterally-inboard end 128 and a laterally-outboard end130. The foot rest 88 may extend between the laterally-inboard andlaterally-outboard ends 128, 130. The laterally-inboard end 128 may benearer to a longitudinal centerline (i.e., a longitudinally extendingline at a lateral midpoint of the vehicle 10) of the vehicle 10 than thelaterally-outboard end 130. In some implementations, wherein the vehiclefoot well 22 includes the accelerator pedal 112 and the brake pedal 114,the brake and accelerator pedals 114, 112 may bevehicle-laterally-inboard of the laterally-outboard end 130 of the footrest 88 and vehicle-laterally-outboard of the laterally-inboard end 128of the foot rest 88. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.12 and 13 , the foot rest 88 comprises the shelf portion 84 and extendsfrom the laterally-outboard end 130 to the laterally-inboard end 128,and the accelerator and brake pedals 112, 114 are positionedvehicle-laterally-inboard of the laterally-outboard end 130 andvehicle-laterally-outboard of the laterally-inboard end 128. In otherwords, the vehicle-lateral position of both the brake pedal 114 and theaccelerator pedal 112 is between the vehicle-lateral position of thelaterally-outboard end 130 of the foot rest 88 and the laterally-inboardend 128 of the foot rest 88. As illustrated in FIG. 14B, in someembodiments, the foot pedal 110 of the vehicle 10 may be beneath (i.e.,directly vehicle-downward of) the foot rest 88 in the foot rest useposition.

Referring now to FIG. 15 , a vehicle interior system 132 of the vehicle10 is illustrated. The vehicle interior system 132 may include acontroller 134 which may be configured to receive various inputs 136 andgenerate various output signals 138 to control outputs that may involvea variety of vehicle components and/or systems, as described furtherherein. The controller 134 may be a shared or dedicated controller thatincludes a microprocessor 140 and memory 142, as illustrated in FIG. 15, according to various embodiments. It should be appreciated that thecontroller 134 may include control circuitry, such as analog and/ordigital control circuitry. Stored within the memory 142 and executed bythe microprocessor 140 is logic for processing the various inputs 136and controlling various outputs, as described further herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 15 , the controller 134 may be in communicationwith one or more actuators 144 of the vehicle 10. For example, thecontroller 134 may be in communication with the steering wheel actuator54, the steering wheel support assembly actuator 40, the seatingassembly actuator 70, the foot rest actuator 104, and/or the foot pedalactuator 124, in various implementations. As described further herein,the controller 134 may be configured to generate one or more outputsignals 138 to control outputs related to the one or more actuators 144in communication with the controller 134.

Referring still to FIG. 15 , in various embodiments, the controller 134of the vehicle interior system 132 may be in communication with an inputdevice 146 that is configured to transmit inputs 136 to the controller134. A variety of types of input devices 146 are contemplated. Forexample, the input device 146 may be coupled to the vehicle 10, such asa human machine interface (HMI) touchscreen display 148, as illustratedin FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, a portable electronic device 150 may bethe input device 146 in communication with the controller 134. Forexample, in some embodiments, a smart phone may be in communication withthe controller 134 and configured to transmit inputs to the controller134.

Referring still to FIG. 15 , with respect to operation of the vehicleinterior system 132 of the vehicle 10, the controller 134 of the vehicleinterior system 132 is configured to receive one or more inputs 136 fromthe input device 146 and generate one or more output signals 138 thatare relayed to the one or more actuators 144 in communication with thecontroller 134. The one or more actuators 144 are configured to actuatebased on the output signals 138 from the controller 134.

It is contemplated that, in some implementations, the plurality ofactuators 144 within the vehicle interior 14 may be controlled by thecontroller 134 based on the selection of a plurality of input optionsmade available via one or more input devices 146. For example, a firstinput device 146 coupled to the seating assembly 56 may be used toactuate the seating assembly actuator 70 and another input device 146coupled to the steering wheel 36 may be used to actuate the steeringwheel actuator 54. In some embodiments, selection of an input option bythe user U may cause the controller 134 to prompt actuation of aplurality of actuators 144. For example, the input device 146 mayprovide a first input option (“sleep mode”) and a second input option(“use mode”).

In an exemplary embodiment, in response to the selection of the sleepmode on the input device 146, the controller 134 may prompt actuation ofthe steering wheel actuator 54 to move the steering wheel 36 from thesteering wheel use position to the steering wheel stowed position,actuation of the steering wheel support assembly actuator 40 to move thesteering wheel support assembly 32 from the extended position to theretracted position, actuation of the foot pedal actuator 124 to move thefoot pedal 110 from the foot pedal use position to the foot pedal stowedposition, actuation of the foot rest actuator 104 to move the foot rest88 from the foot rest stowed position to the foot rest use position,and/or actuation of the seating assembly actuator 70 to move theseatback 68 from the upright position to the reclined position. Invarious examples, in response to the selection of the sleep mode, thecontroller 134 may additionally prompt the one or more seating assemblyactuators 70 to move the seating assembly 56 within the vehicle interior14 (e.g., from the vehicle-rearward position to the vehicle-forwardposition) and/or adjust the position of various seating assemblycomponents relative to one another (e.g., lumbar support, seat base 64,head rest, etc.).

In some embodiments, in response to the selection of the use mode, thecontroller 134 may prompt actuation of the steering wheel actuator 54 tomove the steering wheel 36 from the steering wheel stowed position tothe steering wheel use position, actuation of the steering wheel supportassembly actuator 40 from the retracted position to the extendedposition, actuation of the foot pedal actuator 124 to move the footpedal 110 from the foot pedal stowed position to the foot pedal useposition, actuation of the foot rest actuator 104 to move the foot rest88 from the foot rest use position to the foot rest stowed position,and/or actuation of the seating assembly actuator 70 to move theseatback 68 from the reclined position to the upright position. Invarious examples, in response to the selection of the use mode, thecontroller 134 may additionally prompt the one or more seating assemblyactuators 70 to move the seating assembly 56 within the vehicle interior14 (e.g., from the vehicle-forward position to the vehicle-rearwardposition) and/or adjust the position of various seating assemblycomponents relative to one another (e.g., lumbar support, seat base 64,head rest, etc.).

In operation of an exemplary embodiment, the user U of the vehicle 10may enter the vehicle 10 and sit in the driver seating assembly 58.Initially, the vehicle interior 14 may be arranged such that thesteering wheel 36 is in the steering wheel use position, the steeringwheel support assembly 32 is in the extended position, the seatback 68is in the upright position, the foot rest 88 is in the foot rest stowedposition, and the foot pedal 110 within the foot well 22 is in the footpedal use position. Desiring to lie in a supine position, the user Uselects the sleep mode option provided by the HMI touchscreen display148 coupled to the dashboard 18 of the vehicle 10. The controller 134receives the input 136 from the HMI 148 and, in response, promptsactuation of a plurality of actuators 144, such that, as illustratedsequentially in FIGS. 2-5 , the steering wheel 36 pivots from thesteering wheel use position to the steering wheel stowed position, thesteering wheel support assembly 32 translates from the extended positionto the retracted position, the foot rest 88 pivots from the foot reststowed position to the foot rest use position, the foot pedal 110 pivotsfrom the foot pedal use position to the foot pedal stowed position, andthe seatback 68 of the seating assembly 56 in which the user U is seatedpivots from the upright position to the reclined position. With thevehicle interior 14 configured as such, the user U is able to lie supineon the seating assembly 56 and rest the user's U feet on the uppersupport surface 94 of the foot rest 88.

Referring now to FIG. 16 , a method 200 of operating a vehicle 10 isillustrated. The method 200 of operating the vehicle 10 may include thestep 210 of receiving a user input 136. In various embodiments, the userinput 136 may be received via the input device 146 and the input device146 may be in communication with the controller 134. As described aboveherein, the controller 134 may prompt outputs based on the inputs 136received from the input device 146.

The method 200 of operating the vehicle 10 may include the step 220 ofadjusting the seating assembly 56. In some embodiments, the step 220 ofadjusting the seating assembly 56 may entail adjusting the position of aportion of the seating assembly 56 relative to other portions of theseating assembly 56. For example, in some embodiments, the step 220 mayentail pivoting the seatback 68 relative to the seat base 64 between theupright and reclined positions. In some implementations, the step 220may entail pivoting the seatback 68 from the upright position to thereclined position and/or pivoting the seatback 68 from the reclinedposition to the upright position. In some implementations, the step 220may entail adjusting the position of the seat base 64 relative to theseatback 68 (e.g., adjusting the angle of the seat base 64, adjustingthe position of bolsters of the seat base 64, etc.). Various embodimentsare contemplated. In some embodiments, the step 220 of adjusting theseating assembly 56 may entail moving the seating assembly 56 within thevehicle interior 14. For example, the step 220 may entail sliding theseat base 64 between the vehicle-forward position and thevehicle-rearward position. In various embodiments, the step 220 ofadjusting the seating assembly 56 may be performed in response toperformance of the step 210 of receiving the user input 136.

The method 200 of operating the vehicle 10 may include step 230 ofmoving the steering control system 34. In some embodiments, the step 230may entail moving the steering control system 34 between the use andstowed configurations. For example, the step 230 may entail moving thesteering control system 34 from the use configuration to the stowedconfiguration and/or from the stowed configuration to the useconfiguration. In some embodiments, the step 230 may entail moving thesteering wheel support assembly 32 from the extended position to theretracted position and/or from the retracted position to the extendedposition. In some embodiments, the step 230 may entail moving thesteering wheel 36 between the steering wheel use position and thesteering wheel stowed position. In an exemplary embodiment, the step 230may include pivoting the steering wheel 36 from the steering wheel useposition to the steering wheel stowed position, wherein a portion of thesteering wheel 36 is received within the trough 42 defined by the trimcomponent 38 of the steering wheel support assembly 32, and translatingthe steering wheel support assembly 32 from the extended position to theretracted position. The step 230 of moving the steering control system34 of the vehicle 10 may be performed in response to receiving the userinput 136. Further, the step 230 may be performed simultaneously withthe step 220, in some embodiments.

Referring still to FIG. 16 , the method 200 of operating the vehicle 10may include the step 240 of moving the foot pedal 110 between the footpedal use position and the foot pedal stowed position. In someembodiments, the step 240 may entail moving the foot pedal 110 from thefoot pedal use position to the foot pedal stowed position and/or movingthe foot pedal 110 from the foot pedal stowed position to the foot pedaluse position. In various embodiments, the foot pedal 110 may pivotbetween the foot pedal use and stowed positions. As illustrated in FIGS.2-5 , the foot pedal 110 pivots about the foot pedal pivot axis 120 fromthe foot pedal use position, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , to the footpedal stowed position, as illustrated in FIG. 5 . In some embodiments,the step 240 may entail moving the foot pedal 110 such that the footpedal 110 is received within the foot pedal receiving recess 122 definedby the underside 20 of the dashboard 18 of the vehicle 10 in the footpedal stowed position, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . As described aboveherein, it is contemplated that the foot pedal 110 may move between thefoot pedal use and stowed positions in a variety of manners.

Step 240 of moving the foot pedal 110 between the foot pedal useposition and the foot pedal stowed position may be performed in responseto the step 210 of receiving the user input 136. Further, the step 240may be performed simultaneously with the step 220 and/or the step 230,in some implementations. In some embodiments, performance of the step240 of moving the foot pedal 110 between the foot pedal use position andthe foot pedal stowed position may be caused by the performance of thestep 230 of moving the steering control system 34. For example, movingthe steering wheel support assembly 32 from the extended position to theretracted position in step 230 may cause the foot pedal 110 to move fromthe foot pedal use position to the foot pedal stowed position. Asdescribed above herein, in some implementations, engagement of thelinear gear 106 coupled to the steering wheel support assembly 32 withthe gear system 108 operably coupled to the foot pedal 110 may affectthis causal relationship.

The method 200 of operating the vehicle 10 may include the step 250 ofmoving the foot rest 88 between the foot rest use position and the footrest stowed position. The step 250 may entail moving the foot rest 88from the foot rest stowed position to the foot rest use position and/ormoving the foot rest 88 from the foot rest use position to the foot reststowed position. As described above herein, the foot rest 88 may movebetween the foot rest use and stowed positions in a variety of manners.For example, the foot rest 88 may pivot between the foot rest use andstowed positions as illustrated sequentially in FIGS. 2-5 .

The step 250 of moving the foot rest 88 between the foot rest useposition and the foot rest stowed position may be performed in responseto the step 210 of receiving user input 136. Further, the step 250 maybe performed simultaneously with the step 220, the step 230, and/or thestep 240, in some implementations. For example, the foot rest 88 maymove from the foot rest stowed position to the foot rest use position as(1) the seatback 68 pivots from the upright position to the reclinedposition, (2) the foot pedal 110 moves from the foot pedal use positionto the foot pedal stowed position, and/or (3) the steering wheel supportassembly 32 moves from the extended position to the retracted position.

In some embodiments, performance of the step 250 of moving the foot rest88 between the foot rest use position and the foot rest stowed positionmay be caused by the performance of the step 230 of moving the steeringcontrol system 34. For example, moving the steering wheel supportassembly 32 from the extended position to the retracted position in step230 may cause the foot rest 88 to move from the foot rest stowedposition to the foot rest use position. As described above herein, insome implementations, engagement of linear gear 106 coupled to thesteering wheel support assembly 32 with the gear system 108 operablycoupled with foot rest 88 may effectuate this causal relationship.

In an exemplary embodiment of the method 200 of operating the vehicle10, the step 230 entails translating the steering wheel support assembly32 from the extended position to the retracted position, the step 240entails pivoting the foot pedal 110 from the foot pedal use position tothe foot pedal stowed position, and step 250 entails pivoting the footrest 88 from the foot rest stowed position to the foot rest useposition.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

While all modern OEMs of passenger vehicles currently warn occupantsagainst reclining the seat past a certain angle while the vehicle ismoving and/or in riding in a fully reclined or supine position due tosafety concerns, it is anticipated that technology and the regulatoryframework may evolve in the future where such an activity ispermissible.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel support assembly that includes a trim component that defines a trough; and a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly, having a circumferential rim, and being operable to pivot about a first axis, such that the entirety of the circumferential rim pivots in a first rotational direction about the first axis, from a steering wheel use position, wherein the steering wheel is operable to rotate about a second axis to steer the vehicle, to a steering wheel stowed position, wherein a portion of the steering wheel is received within the trough defined by the trim component.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trough defined by the trim component faces generally vehicle-upward.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a dashboard, wherein the steering wheel support assembly is movable relative to the dashboard between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the steering wheel support assembly protrudes vehicle-rearward further in the extended position than in the retracted position.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the portion of the steering wheel that is received within the trough in the steering wheel stowed position is positioned beneath a portion of the dashboard in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.
 6. The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the dashboard includes a housing, and wherein the steering wheel support assembly is received within the housing in the retracted position, and protrudes out of the housing in the extended position.
 7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the portion of the steering wheel that is received within the trough in the steering wheel stowed position is positioned within the housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.
 8. A vehicle, comprising: a steering wheel support assembly having a trim component that defines a trough and being movable relative to a dashboard between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the steering wheel support assembly protrudes vehicle-rearward further in the extended position than in the retracted position; and a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly and operable to pivot about a first axis between a steering wheel use position, wherein the steering wheel is operable to steer the vehicle via pivotal movement about a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and a steering wheel stowed position, wherein a portion of the steering wheel is received within the trough.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the trough defined by the trim component faces generally vehicle-upward.
 10. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the dashboard includes a housing, and wherein the steering wheel support assembly is received within the housing in the retracted position, and protrudes out of the housing in the extended position.
 11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein a portion of the steering wheel is positioned within the housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.
 12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein a majority of the steering wheel is positioned within the housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.
 13. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein a portion of the steering wheel faces vehicle-rearward in the steering wheel use position and faces vehicle-upward in the steering wheel stowed position.
 14. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the steering wheel support assembly translates between the extended and retracted positions.
 15. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising: a linear actuator that propels the steering wheel support assembly between the extended and retracted positions.
 16. A vehicle, comprising: a dashboard that includes a housing; a steering wheel support assembly operably coupled to the dashboard, having a trim component that defines a trough, and being movable between an extended position, wherein the steering wheel support assembly protrudes out of the housing, and a retracted position, wherein the steering wheel support assembly is received within the housing; and a steering wheel operably coupled to the steering wheel support assembly and operable to pivot about a first axis from a steering wheel use position, wherein the steering wheel is operable to rotate about a second axis to steer the vehicle, to a steering wheel stowed position, wherein a portion of the steering wheel is received within the trough defined by the trim component, and wherein the portion of the steering wheel received within the trough in the steering wheel stowed position is positioned within the housing in the steering wheel stowed position and the retracted position of the steering wheel support assembly.
 17. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the first axis is substantially perpendicular to the second axis.
 18. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the trough defined by the trim component faces generally vehicle-upward.
 19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the steering wheel support assembly translates between the extended and retracted positions. 